Great Brain, The : Reviewed

First person story of one of three Catholic brothers growing up in turn of the century Mormon Utah.

We were amazed at the similarities
and differences between then and now. For example, they had telephones, but used them only in emergencies. A boy's leg gets infected, he gets gangrene and
the leg is removed. The chapter about his attempts to commit suicide because he is "plumb useless" is terrifying, sad, and, eventually, funny.
The Great Brain, the middle brother, is the smartest and not ashamed.